The Handler

Maddie Castle, Book 1

By: L.T. Ryan, C.R. Gray

Narrated by: Katie Hagaman

Length: 8 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

A dead police officer.
A department desperate for answers.
Maddie Castle must take on the role that nearly took her life.
She must once again become The Handler.

New from Wall Street Journal and USA Today best-selling author L.T. Ryan with C.R. Gray!

Wounded in the line of duty, former K9 Handler Maddie Castle finds herself back to square one. The bullet that shredded her leg took the life of her four-legged partner. The pain of recovery goes well beyond the daily physical torment she endures.

Time is the supposed healer of all wounds. In Castle’s case, this hasn’t proven true. In a hail of gunfire, she lost not only her dog, but the one thing she loved above all else…the job.

Castle is back home in the trailer park she vowed never to return to. Taking a job as a private investigator has proven an unrewarding comparative to her former career. Barely making ends meet and hampered by the ever-present pain in her leg, Castle struggles to keep her footing in her new life.

A K9 handler from Castle’s old unit is gunned down. Castle is called in to assess whether the dog can be rehabilitated. The alternative is a consequence Castle can’t live with. Working to save the K9 might just well save Castle from herself.

As the hunt for the killer, Castle receives a call from a desperate mother searching for her missing son. The hunt for the boy leads Castle into the criminal underbelly of Pittsburgh, with powerful players who will stop at nothing stand in her way.

Behind them lies the truth. Getting to it may cost her everything, including her life, as she seeks to expose a dark secret that could bring a city to its knees.

Follow Maddie Castle as she walks the blurred line of right and wrong in a desperate search for justice.

©2023 L.T. Ryan, C.R. Gray (P)2023 Liquid Mind Media

Almost a great fluffy story

Good except eye rolling unbelievable towards the end. Outing a murderer at a funeral was so hokey.

Dog lovers & detective stories

A winner if you enjoy detective stories but if you’re a dog lover, prepare for some weeping moments.

Great story & suspense!

My first book from both authors and it was great! I especially love the relationship between Tempest & Maddie. Look forward to the next book in the series and how Maddie continues to heal from her trauma & maybe open her heart to love again. (Team Bentley)

Looking forward to Book 2 in the series

The narrator made this book enjoyable . The last few chapters seemed to stretch out a little too much as the author tried to tie up all the loose ends, but overall an enjoyable story.

A great story and performance

As murder mysteries go this one kept my interest and got me involved in Maddie's emotional journey. I will be on the lookout for another Maddie story.

Good First Book

I love all books with dogs as one of the main characters. This was a good opening to this series. I’m glad that the main character is flawed.

Not bad but could get better.

The story was okay for the most part. I got very tired of Mattie’s history. Good enough for the initial background but then it got really old. Love Tempie but also the dog training part was a bit hokey. Not sure if I am interested in continuing the series. Also not a big fan of the narrator. For me it can make or break a book.

Loved it

All my favorite things: Dogs, mystery, personal growth, kids, bravery and did I mention the dog? I hope there is a sequel!

Enjoyable read

This story surprised me. It kept me interested, and I look forward to the next part of the story.

Great book

About half way through it’s really gets good, lotz of twists and turns….ending is fantastic